CLARKSVILLE - Ted Beard's steal and layup in the final seconds of overtime secured an 83-81 win for the University of the Ozarks men's basketball team in their home opener Tuesday against Rust College (Miss.).

Trailing 81-79 with 1:31 remaining, Ozarks' Clint McHenry scored with 31 seconds on the clock to tie the game 81-81.

The Eagles then forced a turnover, allowing Beard to race down the court for the game-winning layup with just 3 seconds left.

Habeeb Kareem finished with a team-high 19 points for Ozarks (1-2). Jeremy Clark had 16 thanks to a 4-of-4 effort from 3-point range.

Tony Daniels had 13 points, and McHenry had 11. Daniels also had a team-high nine rebounds.

The game saw 14 ties, as each team seemed to have an answer for the other. Ozarks held the lead for the majority of the first half and established a 10-point advantage with 7:36 to play until halftime.

But the Bearcats (1-2) closed the half on a 20-10 run. Rust tied the game 38-38 at the break on DaWit Gabrakidan's 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle. Ozarks appeared to have control of the game in regulation when Kareem scored four straight points to put the Eagles up 74-71 with 21 seconds left.

However, Darnell Toy hit his seventh three of the night with 12 seconds left to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Lady Eagles 89, Lady Bearcats 66

Five Ozarks players scored in double figures Tuesday as the Lady Eagles routed Rust College 89-66.